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shutterpuppy · 09-10-2008, 03:46 AM

Hey All,
Late this month and extending until the middle of October, the State Fair of Texas will be in town and due to skin grafts on my shoulders,I don't think I want to lug around a gadget bag with lots of lenses so here's my dilemma. I have three lenses, the kit lens that came with my Pentax k200d, my Sigma 70-300 zoom and my newly acquired 50mm DA f 1.4. I hope to be shooting a variety of shots from the new cars on display, to some night/dusk shots of some of the rides to people playing games on the midway,quite a variety, maybe some birds in flight during a training show they have each year. I like shooting without a flash as much as possible and the 50mm f 1.4 seems to be the answer however if I can get decent sharp high ISO shots with the Sigma or kit lens, then I wouldn't really need the fast f 1.4 lens (would I?) but if I use it, I figure with the cams 10mp sensor, I could always close crop in PP so I really wouldn't need the zoom? I'm confused. Help

Thanks
Barry

MrApollinax · 09-10-2008, 04:03 AM

I had taken the kit lens with me when I went to the Minnesota State Fair. I used indoors, outdoors, daylight, mix lighting etc. It seems to hold up pretty well for me. Here is a link to a couple of my pictures: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/327092-post20.html

shutterpuppy · 09-10-2008, 04:13 AM

Originally posted by MrApollinax

I had taken the kit lens with me when I went to the Minnesota State Fair. I used indoors, outdoors, daylight, mix lighting etc. It seems to hold up pretty well for me. Here is a link to a couple of my pictures: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/327092-post20.html

I would have shot the pics in color but I see what mood you were going for. I forgot about the livestock shows, looks like the kit lens would be the most flexible for this event given the fact it's closest thing I have right now as far as a wide angle lens goes. Even my new 50mm doesn't allow me to stand back far enough to get group shots in cramped quarters.

Barry

Jasvox · 09-10-2008, 04:34 AM

Take the body with the kit lens and take along the 50mm in your pocket. Covers angles as well as something special for dusk or night time.

Jason

bdery · 09-10-2008, 05:21 AM

I agree with the above. Bring the kit lens and the prime in a pocket. It's smaller than some wallets, after all.

You won't regret having a f1,4 for night shots...

By the way, I'm guessing it's a FA 50 mm?

Jasvox · 09-10-2008, 05:39 AM

it's simple, take a "fair amount" of lenses with you.

ok, nvm.

Jason

MrApollinax · 09-10-2008, 05:50 AM

Originally posted by shutterpuppy

I would have shot the pics in color but I see what mood you were going for. I forgot about the livestock shows, looks like the kit lens would be the most flexible for this event given the fact it's closest thing I have right now as far as a wide angle lens goes. Even my new 50mm doesn't allow me to stand back far enough to get group shots in cramped quarters.

Barry

Which is the reason I had brought the kit lens with me instead of my 50 or 70-300. Neither were wide enough for those shots in the barns. The only caveat I will bring up about the Kit lens is that it has a fair amount of distortion on the wide end (Pentax SMC-DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL - Review / Test Report). So as long as you keep that in mind or you will fix that in post then you should be good to go.

Venturi · 09-10-2008, 07:23 AM

Originally posted by Jasvox

Take the body with the kit lens and take along the 50mm in your pocket. Covers angles as well as something special for dusk or night time.

Jason

Exactly my recommendation too.

Big Dave · 09-10-2008, 10:06 AM

This is exactly what I was going to post. Dave

Originally posted by Jasvox

Take the body with the kit lens and take along the 50mm in your pocket. Covers angles as well as something special for dusk or night time.

Jason

little laker · 09-10-2008, 12:13 PM

Last year I shot the local fair for the paper, using 2 lenses. A Tokina 70 - 210mm f4.0 - 5.6 manual focus. Which spent 90% of the time on my camera, and was perfect for most situations.

And a K-mount 55mm f1.8.

I could have gotten away with just either one, however if I was to shoot it again I'd just take the 70 - 210.
Or in your case the Sigma 70 - 300.

rfortson · 09-10-2008, 01:02 PM

I vote for the kit lens and (maybe) the 50mm if you want something else.

I recently went to our local boardwalk and took the 16-50, which is faster, but I really didn't need the speed for the shots I was taking at night. I even used the on-board flash (removed the hood first).

**Kerrowdown** · 09-10-2008, 03:39 PM

A fast ish wide and a good 50mm, works well for me.

shutterpuppy · 09-10-2008, 07:14 PM

Great fun looking shots

Maybe you can make it to the fair too. Hope (maybe not in your case) to see some shots of what Hurricane Ike leaves behind in his wake,ever done any photojournalism?

Barry

Originally posted by rfortson

I vote for the kit lens and (maybe) the 50mm if you want something else.

I recently went to our local boardwalk and took the 16-50, which is faster, but I really didn't need the speed for the shots I was taking at night. I even used the on-board flash (removed the hood first).

SpecialK · 09-10-2008, 08:36 PM

Get a mini version of this without the shoulder straps and bring all 3 lenses :-)
Attachment 18476

jsherman999 · 09-10-2008, 09:54 PM

.

Mr Apollinax, I was at the Mn State Fair also, with my 12-24, but I didn't do as
well as you did there - very nice shots in that link.

To the OP, I think the kit lens is ideal in a Fair setting - going wide to get the
expansive view, or getting stretched images by going wide up close, while being
able to go to portrait length (55) with the same lens is useful.

Below are a few shots from the MN State Fair with the 12-24:

09-10-2008, 03:46 AM	#1
shutterpuppy Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 319	What Lens To Take On A Fair Photoshoot? Hey All, Late this month and extending until the middle of October, the State Fair of Texas will be in town and due to skin grafts on my shoulders,I don't think I want to lug around a gadget bag with lots of lenses so here's my dilemma. I have three lenses, the kit lens that came with my Pentax k200d, my Sigma 70-300 zoom and my newly acquired 50mm DA f 1.4. I hope to be shooting a variety of shots from the new cars on display, to some night/dusk shots of some of the rides to people playing games on the midway,quite a variety, maybe some birds in flight during a training show they have each year. I like shooting without a flash as much as possible and the 50mm f 1.4 seems to be the answer however if I can get decent sharp high ISO shots with the Sigma or kit lens, then I wouldn't really need the fast f 1.4 lens (would I?) but if I use it, I figure with the cams 10mp sensor, I could always close crop in PP so I really wouldn't need the zoom? I'm confused. Help Thanks Barry

09-10-2008, 04:13 AM	#3
shutterpuppy Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 319 Original Poster	Impressive Apollinex Originally posted by MrApollinax I had taken the kit lens with me when I went to the Minnesota State Fair. I used indoors, outdoors, daylight, mix lighting etc. It seems to hold up pretty well for me. Here is a link to a couple of my pictures: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/327092-post20.html I would have shot the pics in color but I see what mood you were going for. I forgot about the livestock shows, looks like the kit lens would be the most flexible for this event given the fact it's closest thing I have right now as far as a wide angle lens goes. Even my new 50mm doesn't allow me to stand back far enough to get group shots in cramped quarters. Barry

09-10-2008, 07:14 PM	#13
shutterpuppy Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 319 Original Poster	Hey Russ Great fun looking shots Maybe you can make it to the fair too. Hope (maybe not in your case) to see some shots of what Hurricane Ike leaves behind in his wake,ever done any photojournalism? Barry Originally posted by rfortson I vote for the kit lens and (maybe) the 50mm if you want something else. I recently went to our local boardwalk and took the 16-50, which is faster, but I really didn't need the speed for the shots I was taking at night. I even used the on-board flash (removed the hood first).

09-10-2008, 08:36 PM	#14
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	Get a mini version of this without the shoulder straps and bring all 3 lenses :-) Attachment 18476 Last edited by SpecialK; 06-04-2015 at 08:04 PM.

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09-10-2008, 04:03 AM	#2
MrApollinax Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,529	I had taken the kit lens with me when I went to the Minnesota State Fair. I used indoors, outdoors, daylight, mix lighting etc. It seems to hold up pretty well for me. Here is a link to a couple of my pictures: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/327092-post20.html

09-10-2008, 04:34 AM	#4
Jasvox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,107	Take the body with the kit lens and take along the 50mm in your pocket. Covers angles as well as something special for dusk or night time. Jason

09-10-2008, 05:21 AM	#5
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,363	I agree with the above. Bring the kit lens and the prime in a pocket. It's smaller than some wallets, after all. You won't regret having a f1,4 for night shots... By the way, I'm guessing it's a FA 50 mm?

09-10-2008, 05:39 AM	#6
Jasvox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,107	it's simple, take a "fair amount" of lenses with you. ok, nvm. Jason

09-10-2008, 05:50 AM	#7
MrApollinax Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,529	Originally posted by shutterpuppy I would have shot the pics in color but I see what mood you were going for. I forgot about the livestock shows, looks like the kit lens would be the most flexible for this event given the fact it's closest thing I have right now as far as a wide angle lens goes. Even my new 50mm doesn't allow me to stand back far enough to get group shots in cramped quarters. Barry Which is the reason I had brought the kit lens with me instead of my 50 or 70-300. Neither were wide enough for those shots in the barns. The only caveat I will bring up about the Kit lens is that it has a fair amount of distortion on the wide end (Pentax SMC-DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL - Review / Test Report). So as long as you keep that in mind or you will fix that in post then you should be good to go.

09-10-2008, 07:23 AM	#8
Venturi Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,636	Originally posted by Jasvox Take the body with the kit lens and take along the 50mm in your pocket. Covers angles as well as something special for dusk or night time. Jason Exactly my recommendation too.

09-10-2008, 10:06 AM	#9
Big Dave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Antonio, Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 547	This is exactly what I was going to post. Dave Originally posted by Jasvox Take the body with the kit lens and take along the 50mm in your pocket. Covers angles as well as something special for dusk or night time. Jason

09-10-2008, 12:13 PM	#10
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	Last year I shot the local fair for the paper, using 2 lenses. A Tokina 70 - 210mm f4.0 - 5.6 manual focus. Which spent 90% of the time on my camera, and was perfect for most situations. And a K-mount 55mm f1.8. I could have gotten away with just either one, however if I was to shoot it again I'd just take the 70 - 210. Or in your case the Sigma 70 - 300.

09-10-2008, 01:02 PM	#11
rfortson Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,129	I vote for the kit lens and (maybe) the 50mm if you want something else. I recently went to our local boardwalk and took the 16-50, which is faster, but I really didn't need the speed for the shots I was taking at night. I even used the on-board flash (removed the hood first).

09-10-2008, 03:39 PM	#12
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,867	A fast ish wide and a good 50mm, works well for me.

09-10-2008, 09:54 PM	#15
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	. Mr Apollinax, I was at the Mn State Fair also, with my 12-24, but I didn't do as well as you did there - very nice shots in that link. To the OP, I think the kit lens is ideal in a Fair setting - going wide to get the expansive view, or getting stretched images by going wide up close, while being able to go to portrait length (55) with the same lens is useful. Below are a few shots from the MN State Fair with the 12-24:

What Lens To Take On A Fair Photoshoot?

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